System and method for dissipating impact momentum and blast wave energy

ABSTRACT

The invented device forms a flexible planar or nonplanar blast surface that is oriented to receive and dissipate energy and restrict penetrations received from objects, projectiles and/or blast waves received from and along a vector path. A flexible assembly forms a blast surface having a multitude of pinned or semi-pinned elongate entangled staples, wherein a multiplicity of the staples extend at least partially along a vector path, wherein the vector path is oriented perpendicularly relative to the blast surface. A flexible particulate assembly comprising a multitude of adjoining pinned, semi-pinned and/or semi-static particles assembled together to present interstitial areas no larger than the diameter of a selected projectile; and a flexible binding medium integrated with the multitude of adjoining particles and adapted to maintain the multitude of adjoining particles in a flexible semi-pinned semi-static array.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for protectingentities from projectiles, impact momentum, and blast energies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not beassumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in thebackground section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the backgroundsection or associated with the subject matter of the background sectionshould not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the priorart. The subject matter in the background section merely representsdifferent approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

Protection against violent threat has a long history, likely beginningwith the use of one's limbs to shield oneself, fashioning of shields tobe presented to the threat, design of metal enclosures within which onecould maneuver, to some degree, with protection in battle—yet needing tobe hoisted upon a horse, to sliding, form-fitting, linked or chain-mailallowing greater levels of maneuverability, to thicker blocks of stoneto protect those inside an enclosure (be they family or village) fromorganized attack, including thick metal sheets, or poured, possiblyreinforced concrete surrounding stationary emplacements or mobilevehicles and ships, as well as increasing thicknesses of formed stone ormetal.

As the armor has increased in thickness and weight, the projection ofthreats has increased in capability and mortal or morbid ingenuity. Asthe attackers have become more ingenious, the defenders have lostdegrees of freedom in ability to maintain mobility simply in light ofthe sheer mass of the protective layers about them. In efforts toenhance effectiveness of armor, some are taking approaches employingmultilayered structures, each layer of which intends some level ofinteraction with the incoming, and intruding, threat. Inclusion ofsliding protective discs of metal or ceramic to both block the progressof projectiles and diminish their energy, or redirect the energy, bylimited movement is showing up in protective personal armor. Othersinclude interesting possibilities such as SILLYPUTTY™ intended todiminish the incoming threat's energy, possibly through phase change orsimple stickiness. Various synthetic fabrics of glass fiber, stretchedpolymer, tough aramid polymers, carbon and derivatives, compressedstuffing for protective garb and other possibilities have been explored.Others propose the use of high-energy, violent countervailing energy,including but not limited to one or more energy types, for fixedprotective emplacements by initiating outward-directed explosive energyagainst an impinging projectile as found in the work of Shah, et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,909.

While a significant number of armor solutions arise for varioussituations and to address various posited threats, a motivation of thepresent invention arises from the long-felt needs for improved solutionsto widely experienced needs for safe and comparatively lightweightstructures, to include but not limited to, panels effective againstlow-to-moderate, or greater, level direct-fire threats as well asshrapnel with which defined areas of protection could be enclosed insituations of possible or expected threats of this sort. Some level ofmoveability is also desirable in such intended “temporary” protectedareas. It is an object of the present invention is to provide structuresthat exhibit high levels of protection against blast waves andprojectile impacts, ease of movement, easy field handling, and minimalthickness (allowing ease of movement) to meet the expected threatsthrough sensible design, optionally including multiple layers, each ofwhich contributes to reduction of the inward energy of incomingprojectiles or shrapnel. The core concept of threat-protection forspecific enclosures prompts an additional object of the presentinvention to enable design principles that are applicable andtransferable to other protective applications including those involvingmore or less mobility.

In the field of protecting objects such as people, vehicles, andbuildings from impacts—which might include everything from combat armor,to car crash mitigation, to packing fragile materials for shipping, andmuch more—there are many factors to account for, and the optimumsolution may not always be something as straightforward as ‘a heavymetal plate for the impact to run into instead’. Many prior artsolutions for mitigating the destructive effects of projectilepenetration, momentum and/or shockwaves, particularly the indirecteffects of ammunition, including but not limited bullets, rounds,artillery shells, and shrapnel, are rooted in diminishing the impactand/or blast energy and/or dispersing the momentum and received energyfrom the engagement of a shielding element with a projectile.

In the case of prior art combat armor, as a convenient example for theconcepts illustrated herein, both kinds of impact mitigation arecritical: even if a heavy metal plate might stop a projectile, themomentum behind something like a bullet, or the shock wave from anexplosion such as a bomb, can still seriously bludgeon the wearer withtheir own armor, if said prior art armor doesn't also include elementsfor dispersing the momentum from impacts and shock waves safely, such as‘springy’ elements or soft padding. Additionally, the prior art armoroffers no protection against injuries caused by blast waves, such astraumatic brain injury.

Therefore, there is a need for a method to attach substrates of veryhard materials, such as but not limited to, Transformation ToughenedZirconia ceramic (hereinafter, “TTZ”), boron nitride or the like, totough encapsulants, such as glass-filled Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene(hereinafter, “ABS”) plastic, toughened urethane, or the like, in orderto provide a highly elastic collision and minimize the risk ofcatastrophic material failure caused by a compression wave.

Empirical data collected by the Applicant in experiments with TTZinserts set in glass-filled ABS demonstrates that the geometry of thehard striking surface insert, and the means of attachment are criticalto prevent failure, and can provide a means of reflecting the standingwave into an object struck, thereby imparting additional energy to theobject.

Moreover, over twenty years of empirical studies have led to theApplicant's development of a new theory relating to the behavior ofmatter wherein the morphing of certain properties of matter that areproportional to time are employed by the method of the presentinvention. More particularly, Applicant has developed and offers thefollowing mathematical description of said morphing of certainproperties of matter that are proportional to time:

∫_(t2) ^(t1) db∝T

Where db is a real-time physical property equation, and T is theinterval of time to be analyzed.

Empirical demonstrations of various embodiments of the present inventionrange from very long time intervals, such as glass acting as a viscousliquid when the elapsed time interval is measured in centuries, to foamrubber behaving as a brittle solid when subjected to an impact durationmeasured in microseconds. A reexamination of material property equationswhen non-real-time events are studied should change the currently usedcoefficients and constants used to approximate observed events.

The method of the present invention exploits and applies the temporaldifferences exhibiting by morphing properties of materials ininteraction with potentially destructive projectiles, externally sourcedmomentum and/or blast waves. Furthermore, the method of the presentinvention is particularly effective when the objects, projectiles andblast waves travelling faster than 600 feet per second. While theinstant patent does not attempt to claim natural laws nor theirequations, it does use Byron's Theory to claim Apparatuses and Methodsto achieve objectives by teaching how to modify materials to optimizeperformance during non-real-time intervals of time.

It is therefore a long felt need to provide lower weight and moreflexible materials and structures that protect persons, equipment,buildings and other entities from damage in interaction with high speedobjects and blast waves, wherein said structures and materials employthe innate behavioral qualities of materials exhibited over short timespans in interaction with high speed objects and/or blast waves.Furthermore, the method of the present invention is particularlyeffective when applied in the design of devices intended to protectentities, e.g., persons, equipment, objects and buildings, from damagecaused by interaction with blast waves, objects and projectilestravelling faster than 600 feet per second in speed relative to saidentities

It is additionally an object of the present invention to exploit thebehavior of materials and energy as exhibited in high speed collisionsand other interactions over short time frames to protect entities fromresultant damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention(hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, theinvented method provides one or more layers of material that in variousalternate preferred embodiments form a flexible planar or nonplanarblast surface that is oriented to accept and dissipate energy receivedfrom incoming objects, projectiles and/or blast waves traveling from andalong a vector path. The flexible blast surface may be positioned toprotect entities, including but not limited to persons, equipment,vehicles, buildings, structures and materiel, from energy directedtoward one or more entities by projectiles, impact momentum, and/orblast waves.

It is noted that the invented method is generally directed to, but notlimited to, providing a substantial advancement in the optimization ofmaterials and structures adapted for this function of dispersingmomentum and/or shockwave energy, and combines novel approaches todispersing momentum and/or dispersing shock wave energy to providesignificant advancements in the field of armoring and also in the fieldof impact and blast wave damage mitigation.

The invented method comprises novel and non-obvious aspects that exploitchanges observed in the morphing of physics observed when materials aresubjected to rapid collision impacts, rapid momentum transfers, and highspeed blast wave receptions within critically brief time spans.Applicant has most clearly observed these changes in the dynamics ofobjects and energy at relative speeds of impact above 600 feet persecond. The invented method utilizes the change of material propertiesthat occur in materials subjected to very rapid events in order tooptimize outcomes determined by material selection, geometry andintegration as applied in various fabrication processes. The inventedmethod additionally provides novel criteria and methods for selectingmaterials and device structures to fabricate protective systems anddevices for specific end uses and to counter particular threats. Thediffusion of momentum and the dispersal of blast wave energy intovectors that are both redirected from an original vector path of saidmomentum and/or blast energy and directed away from an entity to beprotected are objects of the invented method.

The invented method comprises novel and non-obvious criteria applied inselecting materials and fabrication steps and in view ofembodiment-specific intended end uses and pre-selected environments ofend use.

In the case of a projectile, such as a bullet, striking certainpreferred embodiments of the present invention, the initial impact ofthe projectile with said preferred embodiments of the present inventioncreates a rapidly promulgated discontinuity between the speed of aleading section of the projectile and the speed of a trailing section ofthe projectile. This instantaneous imposition of variances in speed ofsections of the projectile are further effected by contemporaneousimpositions of discontinuities of velocity and direction among finergrained compositive elements of the projectile. These rapid alterationsin the direction of said projectile sections and composite elements ofthe projectile cause the momentum and blast energies emerging from thecollision elements of the projectile with said preferred embodiments ofthe present invention to in large part scatter into multiple vectorsdiverging away from the projectile's original vector path, whereby thedegree and incidence of transferred momentum, projectile penetration,and blast energy transmission to a targeted entity positioned behind oneof said preferred embodiments of the present invention may be greatlyreduced or effectively made harmless. An entity positioned behind orencompassed by one or more preferred embodiments of the presentinvention may thereby receive limited, effectively harmless, or possiblyno detected effect resulting from the interaction of said preferredembodiments of the present invention with a high speed object,projectile, or blast wave. These objects of the invented method relyupon the fundamental observable dynamics of energy and momentumdelivered to certain alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention as described herein in high speed collisions and over shorttime spans.

It is understood that the invented method relies upon certain propertiesof matter that morph at high speeds and over short time spans, andfurther that the invented method and present invention as claimed eachinclude elements and limitations that exceed mere recitation of naturalprocesses. In certain preferred alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, energy received by the structures thereof causes phasechanges in elements of the present invention whereby received momentumand/or blast energy is directed and dissipated by said phase changes ofthese elements of the present invention. Said phase changes include, butare not limited to, compressive destruction, deformation, vaporization,and melting from solid to liquid forms.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter,“the first version”), a multitude of elongate elements (hereinafter,“staples”) are entangled to form a felt structure is positioned betweena shielding element and an entity. Some non-limiting examples of ashielding element as signified herein might include body armor, vehiclearmor, or other suitable varieties of armor known in the art. Theshielding element might preferably be selected to provide protection ofthe protected region or entity from projectiles or physical strikes, incombination with certain embodiments of the present invention whichprotect against shock waves and dissipate momentum, thus providing amore versatile protection by this combination. These staples may befabricated in executions of commercially available fabric manufacturingsteps by prior art manufacturing equipment applied in novel andnonobvious aspects to produce staples from high tensile yarn, such asbut not limited to the materials of KEVLAR™ para-aramid fiber asmarketed by DuPont de Nemours, Inc., of Wilmington, DE, SPECTRA™Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene as marketed by HoneywellInternational, Inc. of Morristown, NJ, DYNEEMA™ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber as marketed by DSM ofHeerlen, Netherlands, and other suitable high tensile and highcompression materials known in the art. In certain alternate preferredembodiments of the invented method, carding and/or felting needles areapplied to a feedstock to form an invented matrix of staples from themultitude of staples; the invented method thereby forms a non-wovenfabric comprising the multitude of staples.

In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the first version, theinvented matrix comprises both a distal zone and a blast layer, whereinthe distal zone is positioned along an edge zone within the inventedmatrix that is distal from an expected direction of travel of an energyto be dissipated. The distal zone includes certain staples in theirentirety and at least a portion of the lengths of individual staples ofa first multiplicity of staples of the first version. The blast layercomprises those elements of the multitude of staples wherein a Zcomponent of each extending length enables the establishment of a blastsurface. It is understood that the distal zone and the first version inits entirety is flexible and that the present reference an X-Y plane ismade in the context that the Z orientation of the extending lengths isembodied relative to instantaneously changing flexed or flat positioningof the distal zone.

The often barbed felting needles are applied in fabrication of theinvented matrix by repeated insertion into and removal from the inventedmatrix of staples. This felting action of the felting needles isemployed to both (a.) entangle staples within the distal zone and (b.)encourage and increase Z-axis components of the orientation of at leastmany of the staples. The felting needle barbs catch scales or locationsof various staples and thereby push some staple ends throughjust-forming layers of the invented matrix of staples, thereby tanglingand binding entangling sections of the staples together, as well asencouraging alignment of certain sections of the staples that are distalfrom the distal zone along the Z-axis or other intended axis. Thisneedling action both (a.) interlocks the staples at least within thedistal zone to supports stability in a resulting entangled structure ofthe multitude of staples, and (b.) increases the number of staples thatat least partially project along the Z-axis within and/or extending thedistal zone and into the blast layer. These invented applications ofprior art needles and felting machinery are generally effective for thegeneration of two-dimensional and three-dimensional preferredembodiments of the present invention. It is understood that generallymore staples extend at least partially along the Z-axis within and/orbeyond the distal zone and present aligned lengths and/or front ends tocontribute to the structure of the blast layer. It is preferable thatthe front lengths of certain staples are aligned along the Z-axis withinthe blast layer and/or extending within and/or within the distal zone.

More generally certain other alternate preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more staples are formed by cutting andseparating thread from lengths of yarn by one or more suitable methodsknown in the art; one or more staples may be formed by cutting andseparating suitable high tensile threads, such as but not limited to,KEVLAR™ feedstock, SPECTRA™ feedstock and/or other suitable high tensileand/or high compression materials known in the art in combination or insingularity.

A first multiplicity of staples of the multitude of staples presentfront lengths that extend within the blast layer and may besubstantively parallel. The first multiplicity of staples comprisescertain staples oriented so that that portions thereof and/or theirrespective front points are opposed to a notional vector path, whereinthe aligned front points and their respective staple Z-axis componentsare placed in opposition to an energy, momentum and/or object travellingalong the vector path and toward the multitude of staples. The firstmultiplicity of staples defines a blast surface that is preferablynormal to this vector path. It is understood that the blast surface isnot necessarily planar, as not all front points are positioned within asame plane. Preferably many staples of the first multiplicity of staplesare entangled with multiple other staples of the multitude of staples.

The multitude of staples may optionally further comprise a secondmultiplicity of staples that are at least partially positioned relativeto a second vector path, wherein the front lengths of certain staples ofthe second multiplicity of staples that are oriented so that portionsthereof and/or their respective front points are opposed to a secondnotional vector path, wherein the aligned front points are meant to beplaced in opposition to an energy, momentum and/or object travellingalong the second vector path and toward the multitude of staples. Thesecond multiplicity of staples defines a second blast surface that ispreferably normal to the second vector path. It is understood that thesecond blast surface is not necessarily planar, as certain of the frontends of the second multiplicity of staples are not positioned within asame plane. Preferably many staples of the second multiplicity ofstaples are entangled with multiple other staples of the multitude ofstaples.

It is understood that the first multiplicity of staples may comprisemore than half of the multitude of staples in certain alternatepreferred embodiments of the invented method. Alternatively oradditionally, the multitude of staples may comprise a third multiplicityof staples that are at least partially comprising a Z-axis componentpositioned in opposition to a third vector path. It is furtherunderstood, that in certain alternate preferred embodiments of theinvented invention, the multitude of staples may comprise a multiplicityof collections of staples that include a unique grouping of staples thateach comprise a Z-axis component positioned in opposition to an energydelivered along one of a multiplicity of alternate vector paths.

The multitude of staples when neither accompanied by nor coupled withlayers of woven high tensile fabric are preferably positioned between ashielding element and the entity, wherein the first multiplicity ofstaples forms their blast surface normal to, and in opposition to, thevector path and the staple blast surface is positioned to be proximateto the shielding element and distal from the entity. Optionally oradditionally, the multitude of staples may be distanced either from theentity and/or the shielding element to form one or more air gaps locatedbetween (a.) the multitude of staples and/or (b.) the entity or theshielding element.

In various alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, oneor more staples of the multitude of staples may additionally,alternatively, optionally and/or selectively be (a.) at least partiallycoated and/or layered with a fire-proof or fire resistant material; (b.)at least partially coated and/or layered with a humidity-proof orhumidity resistant material; (c.) at least partially enclosed within afire-proof or fire resistant packaging material; and/or (d.) at leastpartially enclosed within a humidity-proof or humidity resistantpackaging material.

In an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention(hereinafter, “the invented sewn assembly”) the multitude of staples areenclosed within a flexible fabric structure. The invented sewn assemblyis formed by threading together at least two or more invented matricesof staples.

It is noted that the prior art design of soft material armor structureand fabrication teaches that applying stitching to couple or join layersof prior art shielding material and/or prior art armor induces weaknessinto a resultant prior art structure. The prior art thus teacheslimiting the use of stitching for the purpose of coupling prior artshielding material and/or prior art armor together to adding stitchingat the corners of relevant prior art material assemblies. Furthermore,the prior art explicitly teaches away from applying stitching within ornear regions to be protected from bullet strikes.

In patentable distinction, one optional aspect of the invented methodapplies stitching that in combination with two or more invented matricesadds reinforcement to the invented sewn assembly along theaforementioned Z-axis, whereby the placement of the stitching within theat least two invented matrices induces internal dynamics within theinvented sewn assembly that are analogous to a cantilever bridge.

The threading of the invented sewn assembly preferably comprises amaterial that exhibits a high level of tensile strength and compressivestrength, such as, but not limited, to a size 207 KEVLAR™/TEX 210/GOVT.3-CORD threading, a size 346 KEVLAR thread/TEX 350/GOVT. 5-CORDthreading, and other suitable threading known in the art. Threadingneedles suitable for stitching the threading into various preferredembodiments of the invented sewn assembly include a non-titanium coatedGroz-Beckert 135×17 #26 threading needle, a Groz-Beckert 135×17 SAN 5#24 threading needle, and other suitable threading needles known in theart.

In a yet alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention(hereinafter, “the invented cladding system”), the multitude of staplesis separated into a multiplicity of individual discrete sheets(hereinafter, “invented sheet”), wherein each invented sheet isindividually paired with a unique and dedicated cladding element, andeach invented sheet is positioned between said invented sheet's pairedcladding element and an exterior wall of a building. Each pair of onecladding element and a single invented sheet is preferably separatelyand detachably attached to the building exterior wall by a claddingattachment assembly. Optionally, with each paired cladding element andinvented sheet, at least two fasteners, and preferably four or morefasteners, of the fastener assembly both extend through one dedicatedinvented sheet and stably couple and position said dedicated inventedsheet and to its paired cladding element, whereby the paired claddingelement and invented sheet form a combined structure that may beattached to and detached from the building exterior as a unifiedstructure.

Preferably, the combined weight of each cladding element and pairedinvented sheet of the invented cladding system is transferred to thebuilding via its dedicated cladding attachment assembly, wherein no orlittle weight is transferred when attached to the building exterior fromany paired cladding element and invented sheet to any other pairedcladding element and invented sheet of the invented cladding system.

Alternatively, additionally and/or optionally, one or more embodimentsof the invented sewn assembly are placed within and coupled with, orpositioned as an alternative to, the invented sheet.

Various alternate, additional and/or optional aspects of the inventedcladding system include: (a.) establishing and maintaining an air gapbetween each cladding element and its paired invented sheet; (b.)establishing and maintaining an air gap between each invented sheet andthe building exterior wall; (c.) fastener assemblies that further oroptionally include building attachment element sets that are durably orpermanently attached to the building exterior wall and wherein eachbuilding attachment element sets are shaped, sized and positioned toenable detachable attachment of at least one paired cladding element andinvented sheet to the exterior building wall.

In various alternate preferred embodiments of the invented claddingsystem, one or more cladding elements and/or invented sheets mayadditionally, alternatively, optionally and/or selectively be orcomprise fire-proof, fire resistant, humidity-proof and/or humidityresistant material or materials in singularity or in combination.

In yet additional alternate preferred embodiments of the inventedcladding system, one or more cladding elements and/or paired inventedsheets may additionally, alternatively, optionally and/or selectively be(a.) at least partially coated and/or layered with a fire-proof or fireresistant material; (b.) at least partially coated and/or layered with ahumidity-proof or humidity resistant material; (c.) at least partiallyenclosed within a fire-proof or fire resistant packaging material;and/or (d.) at least partially enclosed within a humidity-proof orhumidity resistant packaging material.

It is preferred in certain even other alternate preferred embodiments ofthe invented cladding system that a majority or up to 99.9% of thestaples of each invented sheet are oriented such that the Z-axiselements and/or ends of the staples define blast surfaces that are eachproximate to the paired cladding element that these blast surfaces arepreferably parallel to an exterior side of its paired cladding elementand/or the building exterior wall, wherein the exterior side of eachpaired cladding is preferably placed distally from the building exteriorwall, when the paired cladding elements and invented sheets are attachedto the building exterior wall.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention,(hereinafter, “the invented compilation”) includes at least a firstmultitude of staples, one or more woven sheets of fabric, a secondmultitude of staples, and a threading, wherein the threading forms astitching that numerously passes through the first multitude of staples,the one or more woven sheets of fabric, and the second multitude ofstaples to form the invented compilation into a unified and flexiblestructure.

It is understood that the stitching provides a reinforcement to theinvented compilation in the Z-axis to assist in counteracting a receivedenergy travelling along this Z-axis.

In certain additional alternate preferred embodiments of the inventedcompilation, one or more layers of woven, high tensile strength fabricare positioned between two or more layers of high tensile strengthnonwoven material, wherein the nonwoven material comprises multitudes ofpartially entangled staples, and more than one multiplicity of staplesof the layers of nonwoven fabric provides front ends that aresubstantively opposing a common vector path.

Optionally and additionally, the invented compilation may include aprotective blast face sheet and a distal face sheet, wherein the blastface sheet and the distal face sheet in combination enable the handling,shipment and placement of the invented compilation. The stitchingpreferably extends through the blast face sheet, the first multitude ofstaples, the one or more woven sheets of fabric, the second multitude ofstaples, and the distal face sheet to form the invented compilation intoan alternate unified and flexible structure. It is understood that theblast face sheet and the distal face may be or comprise a single sheetof fabric that is doubled over and around the first multitude ofstaples, the one or more woven sheets of fabric, the second multitude ofstaples.

It is further understood that the blast face sheet and the distal facesheet may be or be comprised within a compilation packaging that atleast partially encloses the two or more sheets of staples and the oneor more woven sheets, and that the compilation packaging and/or one ormore woven sheets may (a.) be or comprise at least partial coatingand/or layering with a fire-proof or fire resistant material; (b.) be orcomprise at least partial coating and/or layering with a humidity-proofor humidity resistant material; (c.) be or comprise at least partialenclosing within a fire-proof or fire resistant material; and/or (d.) beor comprise at least partial enclosing within a humidity-proof orhumidity resistant material.

It is understood that the blast face sheet is preferably positionedproximate to the blast layer of the first multitude of staples, and thatthe blast layer of the second multitude of staples is positioneddistally from the distal face sheet and proximate to the one or morewoven sheets,

The threading of the invented compilation preferably comprises materialthat exhibits both a high level of tensile strength and a high levelcompressive strength, such as, but not limited, to a size 207KEVLAR™/TEX 210/GOVT. 3-CORD threading, a size 346 KEVLAR thread/TEX350/GOVT. 5-CORD threading, and other suitable threading known in theart. Threading needles suitable for threading various preferredembodiments of the invented compilation include a non-titanium coatedGroz-Beckert 135×17 #26 threading needle, a Groz-Beckert 135×17 SAN 5#24 threading needle, and other suitable threading needles known in theart.

In still alternate preferred embodiments of the invented compilation,the invented compilation comprises and is formed by threading thatstitches together, pierces, and travels through the multitudes ofstaples and the one or more woven layers to form peripheral seamslocated at the peripheries of the blast face sheet and the distal facesheet. Optionally, additional threading further pierces and traversesthrough the multitude of staples sheets and woven sheets to formadditional internal seams that each extend within the inventedcompilation to form sewn sheets coupled by the internal seams.

In a still additional preferred embodiment of the invented compilation,the invented compilation is attached to an attachment element, whereinthe attachment element enables a positioning of the invented compilationto hang down as influenced by gravity as a fabric window curtain hangsvertically as affected by gravity. In these preferred embodiments, theinvented compilation is often placed behind an exterior shieldingelement and in front of one or more entities to be protected, wherein ablast vector is expected to pass from and through the exterior shieldingelement and from the exterior shielding element toward the inventedcompilation. An air gap may be maintained in the placement of theinvented compilation between the invented curtain and the exteriorshielding element; alternatively, optionally or additionally theplacement of the invented compilation may establish an additional oralternate air gap between the invented curtain and one or more entitiesto be protected by the invented curtain.

In certain preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention, one or more layers of the invented matrix are placed withinan equipment and between a shielding element of the equipment and aninner protected region positioned within the equipment. It is preferablein these preferred applications of the method of the present inventionthat an air gap be maintained between the invented layers(s) and theinner protected region.

Alternatively, additionally and/or optionally, one or more embodimentsof the invented compilation are placed within and coupled with, orpositioned as an alternative to, either the first multitude of staplesand/or the second multitude of staples. It is understood that the blastsurface sheet of the compilation may be comprise a invented sewnassembly positioned most distal from the one or more woven sheets. It isfurther understood that a distal sheet of the compilation positionedmost distal from the blast surface sheet may be or comprise a rear sheetof one instance of the invented sewn assembly.

It is preferred in certain alternate preferred embodiments of theinvented curtain that a majority or up to 99.9% of the staples of themultitude of staples are oriented such that a multiplicity of the frontends define a planar or nonplanar blast surface that is normal to thecurtain blast vector.

Still alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention comprisea multitude of discrete durable pieces maintained in an elastic band(hereinafter, “interrupter layer”) such that the interstitial volumesbetween the pieces are generally filled in with an elastic. Thecompositions of the pieces and the elastics are preferably selected toensure that the elastic adheres to most or all of each piece of themultitude of discrete durable pieces to maintain the multitude ofdiscrete durable pieces in a semi-pinned, semi-static, and stableposition when at rest. The elastomer geometrically binds therebygeometrically binds the pieces within a three dimensional array and thatthe elastomer acts against relative movement of the pieces withoutimposing an internal rigidity within the interrupter layer. It ispreferable that the pieces are positioned so that received energy ormomentum may be transferred from one or more initially receiving piecesto be dissipated by vibration and displacement contained within theinterrupter layer.

One or more pieces are preferably spherical and exhibit a surfacehardness parameter of at least or about 8 MOHS or higher. Optionally,additionally, and/or alternatively, other pieces include compressibleand/or flame retardant material encapsulated in a spherical or otherouter shell, wherein said outer shell exhibits a surface hardnessparameter of at least or about 8 MOHS or higher. Optionally,additionally, and/or alternatively, even additional alternative piecespresent irregular and/or asymmetrical outer surfaces that exhibit asurface hardness parameter of at least or about 8 MOHS or higher.

In one inventive aspect of the interrupter layer, the size of eachpiece, location of each piece, and proximity of neighboring aspositioned by the elastic all serve to interrupt, limit and inhibittravel of a projectile along a vector path, wherein the vector path isdirected to extend through the interrupter layer.

In various alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method, thedurable pieces may comprise linked elements including, but not limitedto, chain mail elements and/or riveted brigandine elements.

It is understood that an objective of a projectile is to transfer themaximum amount of energy to its target in order to move, deform, damage,and/or break said target. Therefore, an elastic collision of animplement with a surface of a target is generally preferred by theoriginator of the projectile so as to damage to the target. However,this ideal is difficult to realize in practice since some of the impactenergy transferred to the target from the projectile may be transformedto heat the striking surface of the target and thereby plasticallydeforms the striking implement; the momentum of the projectile is thustransferred from projectile to the striking surface, whereby compressionwaves which can damage structure of the projectile itself may alsoresult. The contraposition also holds since a projectile striking astriking surface will cause that striking surface to demonstrate thesame effects. Increasing the hardness of said striking surface willreduce plastic deformation of said striking surface and will therebyresist indentions imposed on the striking surface caused by impact withthe projectile. In general, the harder the surface of the strikingsurface, the more efficient the elastic collision.

A major design constraint in designing protective armor and othershielding lies in balancing the use of an efficient hard surface withthe propensity of materials to exhibit an increase in brittleness as thehardness is increased, and therefore be more likely to exhibit tensionfailure due to compression waves.

Hard, tough, efficient materials are currently available that can meetthe design requirements of a near ideal striking surface. However,current methods of attachment can cause these materials, or theirsubstrates, to fail catastrophically in use due to the compression wave.The effects of this wave can be amplified by refraction, and the partgeometry and fastening method may result in a standing wave with anamplitude that causes the part to fail. There is no known prior artsimilar to the instant invention as it applies to the use of hardinserts as striking surfaces interacting with high velocity projectiles,e.g., projectile velocities above 600 feet per second. There existsystems that employ hard inserts, and these prior art systems do nottake into account methods to obviate the deleterious effects ofcompression waves generated at or exhibiting high speeds and over brieftime spans of promulgation or impact.

The discrete durable pieces are preferably positioned within the elasticsuch that each piece may be touching two or more neighboring pieces andthe interstitial volumes between the pieces each form uniqueinterstitial surface planes that are each instantaneously normal to thevector path. It is preferable that no interstitial surface plane presentany length in any dimension than is equal to or greater than the caliberof a pre-selected bullet type. It is understood that the inventeddurable layer is made flexible by the nature of the elastic and that theestablishment of interstitial surface planes is a dynamic process andfurther that the interstitial surface planes morph and reform relativeto the vector path as the invented durable layer is flexed.

One or more of the durable pieces may form an irregular shape, aspheroid, a sphere, a hemisphere, a partial spheroid, a hollow sphere, ahollow spheroid, or other suitable shape known in the art.

The invented durable layer may present an interrupting blast surfacethat is normal to the vector path and comprises a first multiplicity ofpieces, wherein the one or more pieces of the first multiplicity ofpieces may be or comprise material that is compressive, flame-proof, andor flame retardant. Alternatively, optionally or additionally, one ormore pieces of the first multiplicity of pieces may (a.) be or compriseat least partial coating and/or layering with a fire-proof or fireresistant material; (b.) be or comprise at least partial coating and/orlayering with a humidity-proof or humidity resistant material; (c.) beor comprise at least partial enclosing within a fire-proof or fireresistant material; and/or (d.) be or comprise at least partialenclosing within a humidity-proof or humidity resistant material.

It is understood that the one or more optional layer sheets may be orcomprise, or be comprised within, a layer packaging that at leastpartially encloses the interrupter layer, and that the layer sheets maybe or comprise (a.) a fire-proof or fire resistant material; and/or b.)a humidity-proof or humidity resistant material.

Yet additional alternate preferred embodiments of the present inventionpresent a structured or unstructured combination of the interrupterlayer placed between the multitude of staples and an entity to beprotected. Both the interrupter layer and the multitude of staples arepositioned to present both the interrupting blast surface the blastsurface of the multitude of staples as distal from the entity to beprotected. The multitude of staples may be comprised within the inventedcompilation and/or the invented curtain. Alternatively or additionally,the multitude of staples may be positioned relative to the inventeddurable layer to establish an air gap between the multitude of staplesand the invented interrupter layer. Further optionally, alternatively oradditionally, the multitude of staples may be positioned relative to oneor more entities to be protected to form an additional or alternate airgap between the multitude of staples and one or more entities to beprotected.

It is understood that in even additional alternate preferredembodiments, two or more multiplicities of threads and/or pieces arepositioned and oriented to oppose alternate vector paths, whereinparticular instantiations of the present invention exhibit more than oneblast surface, wherein each blast surface is oriented to oppose aprojectile, momentum, penetration, and/or blast wave energy travellingamong one particular vector path of a plurality of possible vectorpaths, whereby a single instantiation of the device forms two or moreblast surfaces of differing orientations.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,909(Inventors Shah, et al.) issued on Aug. 5, 2008, and titled “Apparatuscomprising armor”; U.S. Pat. No. 8,015,617 (Inventors Carbaj al, et al.)issued on Sep. 13, 2011, and titled “Ballistic resistant body armorarticles”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,615,611 (Inventors Wyner, et al.,) issued onApr. 11, 2017, and titled “Breathable impact absorbing cushioning andconstructions”; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,908,028 (Inventors Wyner, et al.)issued on Mar. 6, 2018, and titled “Flexible cushioning pads, itemsincorporating such pads, and methods of making and using”; U.S. Pat. No.10,184,759 (Inventors Wadley, et al.) issued on Jan. 22, 2019, andtitled “Lightweight ballistic resistant anti-intrusion systems andrelated methods thereof”; individually indicated to be incorporated byreference, including U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,557 titled HEAT PIPE MATERIALAND GARMENT issued to Inventor Santos, Elmer, on Apr. 5, 2016; andPeople's Republic of China Patent Application CN204599382U,FIRE-FIGHTING TEMPERATURE REDUCTION VEST filed by Zhongyuan Universityof Technology on May 21, 2015; U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,591 for AMORPHOUS ANDNANOCRYSTALLINE GLASS-COVERED WIRES issued to Chiriac, H., et al.,issued on Aug. 7, 2001; European Patent Office Patent ApplicationPublication No. EP0870308 of Application No. 96940189.2, titledAMORPHOUS MAGNETIC GLASS-COVERED WIRES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PRODUCTIONby Chiriac, H., et al., published on Oct. 14, 1998; and European PatentOffice Patent Application Publication No. EP1288972 of PatentApplication EP02019256A, titled NANOCRYSTALLINE MAGNETIC GLASS-COVEREDWIRES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION by Chiriac, H., et al., publishedon Mar. 3, 2003.

The above-cited US Patents are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is madebelow with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of an invented lowerdensity staple grouping;

FIG. 2 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of a layered stapleof the lower density staple grouping of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of an entangledstructure comprising the staples of FIG. 1 , after numerous penetrationsby the barbed needle of FIG. 1 into and away from the first grouping ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a detailed cut-away cross-section of a packaged grouping thatcomprises the entangled structure of FIG. 3 enclosed within a protectivematerial;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cut-away cross-section of the packaged grouping ofFIG. 4 utilized in combination with a prior art shielding structure;

FIG. 6 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of a higher densityversion of the entangled structure of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an assembly that includes one or more instancesof the invented matrix of FIG. 6 comprised within a top matrix;

FIG. 8A is a cut-away sideview of the assembly of FIG. 7 and presentsthe top matrix, a zone of woven material, and an internal matrix;

FIG. 8B is an additional detailed representation of the cut-awaysideview of the assembly of FIG. 8A, comprising multiple layers of eachcomponent layer presented in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a detailed cut-away sideview of the assembly of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 10 is an isolated view of the threading of the assembly of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 11A is a cut-away sideview of an alternate assembly comprising thetop matrix of FIG. 7 and the woven fabric of FIG. 8 coupled together;

FIG. 11B is an additional detailed representation of the cut-awaysideview of the alternate assembly of FIG. 11A, comprising multiplelayers of each component layer presented in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away sideview detail of the alternate assembly of FIG.11A;

FIG. 13 is a cut-away top view the assembly of FIG. 7 , furtheraugmented with temperature mitigation elements;

FIG. 14 is a cut-away side view of the assembly of FIG. 7 that has beenfurther augmented with sensors;

FIG. 15 is a cut-away top view of an interrupter layer that is used incertain yet other alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention in combination with the assembly of FIG. 7 and/or thealternate assembly of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 16 is a detailed cut-away top view of four of the spheres of theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17A is a detailed cut-away top view of an alternate sphere forinclusion in the interrupter layer of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17B is a detailed cut-away top view of an additional alternatesphere for inclusion in the interrupter layer of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 18 is a cut-away side view of the interrupter layer if FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 19 is a cut-away top view of a compilation comprising theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 positioned on top of the assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 20A is a cut-away side view of the compilation of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 20B is a cut-away side view of an alternate compilation showing theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 positioned on top of the alternate assemblyof FIG. 11A;

FIG. 21A is a representation of a bullet approaching a cut-away sideview of the compilation of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21B is a continuation of the scenario of FIG. 21A, wherein thebullet impacts the interrupter layer and fractures;

FIG. 22 presents a first protective garment, a shirt, incorporating theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 and the assembly of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 23 presents a second protective garment, a glove, incorporating theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 and the assembly of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 24 presents a third protective garment, a full body suit,incorporating the interrupter layer of FIG. 15 and the assembly of FIG.7 ; and

FIG. 25 presents a fourth protective garment, a boot, incorporating theinterrupter layer of FIG. 15 and the assembly of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 26 is a line drawing presenting a front view of a panel of inventedmaterial, such as the assembly of FIG. 7 , further adapted to be hung upas a protective curtain or panel; and

FIG. 27 is a line drawing presenting a side view of a plurality of thestaples of FIG. 1 incorporated into a static structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described.However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that theinvention can be adapted for any of several applications.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularaspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course,vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is notintended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention willbe limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may becarried out in any order of the recited events which is logicallypossible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the range's limits, an excluding of eitheror both of those included limits is also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methodsand materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statementis intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” theelements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or moreintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements arereferred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” thereare no intervening elements present.

Throughout this specification, like reference numbers signify the sameelements throughout the description of the figures.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1 , FIG.1 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of a lower density staplegrouping 2 (“the first grouping 2”) formed by a quantity of staples 4(“the staples 4”). Each of the staples 4 comprises at least a firststaple end length 4A and a second staple end length 4B (“the staple endlengths 4A & 4B”). Many of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B of the staples4 of the first grouping 2 are initially randomly oriented with respectto a Z-axis, wherein the Z axis defines a thickness dimension Z of thefirst grouping 2.

It is noted that the terms ‘multitude’ and ‘multiplicity’ are utilizedherein, wherein a ‘multitude’ is a group, plurality, or subset ofelements and a ‘multiplicity’ is the set of all elements as specified.

A prior art barbed needle 6 having a barb 6A extending from a needlebody 6B is penetrated through the first grouping 2 to cause the stapleend lengths 4A & 4B of the staples 4 to orient generally along theZ-axis, e.g., each of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B preferablysubstantively parallel to the Z-axis, that is, separately andsubstantively extending within +/−20 degrees in parallel with the Z-axisor more preferably substantively extending within +/−10 degrees inparallel with the Z-axis.

An exemplary staple 8 of the many staples 4 is shown being capturedbetween the barb 6A and the needle body 6B of the barbed needle 6 andthereby forcing a pair of exemplary staple ends 8A & 8B of the exemplarystaple 8 to separately align in greater parallelism with the Z-axis. Itis an inventive aspect of the invented method that the staple endlengths 4A & 4B of the staples 4 generally, and the exemplary staple endlengths 8A & 8B of the exemplary staple 8 as a specific example, arepreferably positioned by the barbed needle 6 to terminate moreproximately towards a notional threat region 10. A plurality ofpotential threat vectors 12 (“the vector paths 12”) pass from the threatregion 10 and into and potentially through the first grouping 2 andtowards a protected region 14. It is noted that, in the absence of anactual incoming object, the vector paths 12 might be considered aspreferred notional vector paths, that is, directions from which anincoming threat or object might preferably approach. It is noted thatprotective gear need not be hit ‘straight on’ from the front, i.e. froma single ideal preferred incoming notional vector path, in order toprovide at least some protective benefit, and further that a ‘directhit’ from an actual incoming threat at the ideal angle for maximaleffectiveness of one's protective gear is rarely a good thing to counton. It may therefore be preferable to account for a range or variety ofnotional vector paths, rather than to orient the entirety of a piece ofprotective gear in the same direction on the assumption that the gearwould only ever receive incoming threats from that single same notionalvector path. Accordingly, a plurality of the vector paths 12 arepresented here.

It is understood that the scope of the meaning of the term “the threatregion 10” as used within the present disclosure includes a region thatthe first grouping 2 is intended to face and receive energy from. It isalso understood that the scope of the meaning of the term “the protectedregion 14” as used within the present disclosure includes a regionexpected to encompass an entity for which the first grouping 2 isoriented to protect and/or dissipate energy originally received from thethreat region.

It is understood that the threat region 10 faces the protected region 14and that the first grouping 2 is preferably disposed between the threatregion 10 and the protected region 14. It is further understood that thefirst grouping 2 is entirely positioned with a notional front plane 16and a notional back plane 18, wherein no staple extends beyond eitherthe front plane 16 or the back plane 18. The front plane 16 ispositioned between the first grouping 2 and the threat region 10, andthe back plane 18 is positioned between the first grouping 2 and theprotected region 14.

These penetrations of the first grouping 2 by the barbed needle 6encourage or increase an incidence of orientations of many of the stapleend lengths 4A & 4B along the Z-axis. The Z-axis is selected as ananticipated primary direction of an incoming energy that the firstgrouping 2 would be positioned to accept. The first grouping 2, as anaggregate of the staples 4, will absorb and diffuse the energy receivedby the first staple grouping 2 when said energy passes from the threatregion 10 to engage with the first grouping 2.

It is understood that the term “energy” as defined and used within thepresent disclosure includes, but is not limited to, a blast wave, aprojectile, and/or transferred kinetic energy.

Increased alignment of any particular one of the staples 4 along anyparticular one of the vector paths 12 results in an increased potentialof that instant one of the staples 4 to accept, diffuse, and dissipateblast energy travelling along that same one of the vector paths 12. Itis understood that a given one of the staples 4 does not need to beexactly parallel with a particular threat vector path 12 to acceptenergy travelling along said one of the vector paths 12; any dimensionalcomponent evidenced within a three dimensional shape of any one of thestaples 4 that is parallel with a particular one of the vector paths 12will generally enable said one of the staples 4 to more effectivelyaccept energy travelling along the instant one of the vector paths 12.It is understood that the staples 4 may absorb and dissipate somereceived energy in a phase change imposed by separate interactions ofindividual ones of the staples 4 with an energy travelling from thethreat region 10 at high speed and toward the first grouping 2, such asfaster than 600 feet per second.

The staples 4 preferably comprise one or more high tensile strength andhigh compression strength materials, such as but not limited to,KEVLAR™, SPECTRA™, DYNEEMA and other suitable high tensile and highcompression materials known in the art.

In certain alternate preferred embodiments one or more of the staples 4present a maximum elongate length of between 0.5 inch and 4.0 inch and across-sectional diameter 0.004 inch+/−0.003 inch. It is understood thatnot every staple 4 of the first grouping 2 is or must be entangled.

It is understood that as referenced herein any length Z value ismeasured in parallel with the Z-axis, and any other length parameter isexpressed as a distance along an X-axis, wherein the Z-axis and theX-axis are mutually orthogonal.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2 , FIG.2 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of a layered staple 200that comprises one of the staples 4 that is coated and/or substantivelyencapsulated with a material 202. The material preferably encapsulates afirst staple tip 4C and a second staple tip 4D (“the staple tips 4C &4D”) of the instant one of the staples 4. The material 202 may be orcomprise one or more protective substances, such as, but not limited to,a flame resistant material, a flame proofing material, a moistureresistant material, a water repellant material, a polymer, a metal, ametal alloy, a ceramic, a basalt component and/or other suitableprotective substances known in the art, in singularity or combination.

It is understood that any one of the staples 4 might be measured orunderstood, regardless of any instant or immediate orientation orpositioning of the instant one of the staples 4, in terms of having anelongate dimension of a maximum length of the staple and across-sectional area. It is understood that one or more of the staples 4may have a substantively continuous cross section relative andperpendicular to the elongate dimension of the instant one of thestaples 4 that may be substantively round, elliptical, square,rectangular, triangular, or other cross-sectional shape known in theart. It is understood that one or more of the staples 4 may have asubstantively non-continuous cross section relative to the elongatedimension of the instant one of the staples 4 that may vary over theelongate length of the instant one of the staples 4.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3 , FIG.3 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of an entangled structure300 comprising the staples 4 of FIG. 1 after numerous penetrations bythe barbed needle 6 into and away from the first grouping 2. Theentangled structure 300 comprises entangled staples 4 that arepositioned between and do not extend either through or up to the frontplane 16 or the back plane 18. For the purpose of clarity ofexplanation, selected entangled ones of the staples 4 are identified asa first exemplary entangled staple 302, a second exemplary entangledstaple 304, a third exemplary entangled staple 306, and a fourthexemplary entangled staple 308 (“the exemplary entangled staples302-308”) thereby caused the formation of a plurality of exemplaryentanglements 310-316, specifically a first exemplary entanglement 310,a second exemplary entanglement 312, a third exemplary entanglement 314,and a fourth exemplary entanglement 316 (“the exemplary entanglements310-316”). It is understood that each of the exemplary entanglements310-316 entangles lengths of two or more of the staples 4, specificallythe entangled staples 302-308. It is understood that not every one ofthe staples 4 of the first grouping 300 must be entangled.

The preferred density of the staples 4 of the entangled structure 300 ispreferably in the range of 0.1 ounce to 1.0 ounce per square foot of theentangled structure 300 in the X-Y plane, and more preferably within therange of 0.42 ounce per square foot +/−25% of an invented matrix 600, asintroduced in FIG. 6 , in the X-Y plane.

In FIG. 3 , the first staple end length 4A is aligned along a firstnotional threat vector path Z1 and the fourth exemplary entangled staple308 presents a fourth exemplary entangled staple end length 308A alignedalong a second notional threat vector path Z2. It is understood that thepreferred orientation of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B, such as theexemplary staple end lengths 8A & 8B of FIG. 1 or the fourth exemplaryentangled staple end length 308A, is to be perfectly parallel with atleast one of the vector paths 12 such as the first notional threatvector path Z1 and the second notional threat vector path Z2 and thatthe entangled structure 300 preferably presents a diverse orientation ofstaples 4, such as the exemplary staple 8 of FIG. 1 or the exemplaryentangled staples 302-308, such that a portion of the staple end lengths4A & 4B, such as the exemplary staple end lengths 8A & 8B of FIG. 1 orthe fourth exemplary entangled staple end length 308A, are substantivelyparallel with any actually received energy travelling along one of thevector paths 12, such as the first notional threat vector path Z1 andthe second notional threat vector path Z2, received by the firstgrouping 2 and from the threat region 10. It is further understood thatmany of the staple tips 4C & 4D are positioned preferably more proximateto the threat region 10 and distal from the protected region 14. It isunderstood that the threat region 10 is the region through which atleast one of the vector paths 12 is anticipated to pass to strikevarious alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention.

It is emphasized that one or more staples 4, such as the exemplarystaple 8 of FIG. 1 or the exemplary entangled staples 302-308,preferably comprises one or more high tensile strength and highcompression strength materials, such as but not limited to, KEVLAR™,SPECTRA™ and other suitable high tensile and high compression materialsknown in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4 , FIG.4 is a detailed cut-away cross-section of a packaged grouping 400 thatcomprises the entangled structure 300 enclosed within a protectivematerial 402. The protective material 402 may comprise a soft fabricand/or a formed shell, or a combination of one or more shape formingmaterials and soft fabric elements, to include but not limited to, anysuitable material known in the art that may envelop the entangledstructure 300 such as a film, a fabric, a spray, and a dip. Additionallyor alternatively, the protective material 402 may be or comprise one ormore protective substances, such as, but not limited to, a flameresistant material, a flame proofing material, a moisture resistantmaterial, a water repellant material, and/or other suitable protectivesubstances known in the art, in singularity or combination. Theprotective material 402 partially encloses, or alternatively totallyencloses, the entangled structure 300 in various and distinguishablealternate preferred embodiments of the packaged grouping 400.

It is understood that the packaged grouping 400 is preferably disposedbetween the threat region and the protected region 14.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5 , FIG.5 is a detailed cut-away cross-section of a prior art shielding element500 disposed between the threat region 10 and the entangled structure300. The prior art shielding element 500 may be or comprise a prior artarmor or armor material, such as, but not limited to, a woven Kevlarfabric, a hard shell Kevlar material, and/or other suitable shielding orarmor structures known in the art.

It is understood that the primary role of the shielding structure 500may be to directly receive and interceded a projectile (not shown)traveling toward the entangled structure 300 along one of the vectorpaths 12 and toward an external shielding side 500A of the shieldingstructure 500. It is further understood that a primary function of theentangled structure 300 is to receive and dissipate energy received froman internal shielding side 500B of the shielding structure 500 asgenerated by a collision of one or more projectiles (not shown) passingfrom the threat region 10 and onto the external shielding side 500A. Oneor many of a prior art shielding structure layer 500C of internally andseparately consistent or discrete shielding material may be comprisedwithin the prior art shielding element 500. The prior art shieldingelement 500 may be or comprise a prior art armor or armor material, suchas, but not limited a woven Kevlar fabric, a hard shell Kevlar material,and/or other suitable shielding or armor structures known in the art.

An additional key function of the entangled structure 300 is to receiveand dissipate any energy that passes from the shielding structure 500and into the entangled structure 300, particularly when received fromthe threat region 10.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6 , FIG.6 is a detailed cut-away cross-sectional view of a higher densityentangled structure 600 (“the invented matrix 600”) comprising aplurality of the staples 4 entangled together after numerouspenetrations by the barbed needle 6, or other suitable manufacturingmeans and methods known in the art, to encourage the formation of aplurality of staple entanglements 602 (“the matrix staple entanglements602”) of various instances of the staples 4 of the invented matrix 600.The invented matrix 600 thereby forms an energy capturing layer thatdissipates and/or absorbs energy; in certain alternate preferredembodiments of the present in invention the absorption and/ordissipation of energy received by the energy capturing layer formed bythe matric 600 may be generated at least partially through phase changesof individual staples 4. It is understood that not every one of thestaples 4 of the invented matrix 600 must be entangled.

The preferred density of the staples 4 of the invented matrix 600 is inthe range of 0.1 ounce to 3.00 ounce per square foot of the inventedmatrix 600 in the X-Y plane, and more preferably within the range of0.71 ounce per square foot +/−25% of the invented matrix 600 in the X-Yplane.

It is understood that the invented matrix 600 is preferably disposedbetween the threat region 10 and the protected region 14. It is furtherunderstood that many of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B and the stapletips 4C & 4D are positioned preferably more proximate to the threatregion 10 and distal from the protected region 14.

In certain preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention, one or more layers of the invented matrix 600 are placedwithin an equipment (not shown) and between a shielding element 500 (ofFIG. 5 ) of the equipment and an inner protected region 14 positionedwithin the equipment. It is preferable in these preferred applicationsof the method of the present invention that an air gap be maintainedbetween the invented matrix 600 or invented matrices 600 and the innerprotected region 14 of the equipment.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7 , FIG.7 is a top view of an assembly 700 that includes one or more instance ofthe invented matrix 600 (as disclosed in FIG. 6 ) comprised with a topmatrix 702 of the assembly 700 as seen from a point of view along theZ-axis, wherein the top view of the top matrix 702 is presented within aplane defined by the X-axis and a Y-axis orthogonal to both the X-axisand the Z-axis. The top matrix 702 may comprise two, three, or moreinstances of the invented matrix 600.

It is understood that the Z-axis, X-axis, and the Y-axis are mutuallyorthogonal. It is understood that as referenced herein any widthparameter is expressed as a distance value measured along the Y-axis.

The top matrix 702 is bound by a top threading 704 that forms separatestitched columns 706 (“the columns 706”) and stitched rows 708 (“therows 708”). One or more additional lengths of the top threading 704 isapplied to form an optional boundary serging 710. The optional boundaryserging 710 is positioned ½″ in from the outer edge of the assembly onall four external sides 712 thereof. It is noted that “serging” is aterm of art in the field of sewing, and refers to a type of stitchinggenerally done with a sewing machine that secures edges of a piece offabric against fraying or raveling. It is noted that while the termserging is used, other means of securing the material as describedherein besides a serging stitch may also be suitable as understood byone skilled in the art.

In certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, the columns 706 and the rows 708 form squares, diamonds,parallelograms, spiral shapes, elliptical shapes, circular, angularshapes, or rectangles that preferably measure within the range of lessthan or equal to 1.00 inch to 2.00 inch or more in either length alongthe X-axis or width along the Y-axis.

The top threading 704 of the assembly 700 preferably comprises materialthat exhibits a high level of tensile strength, such as, but notlimited, to a size 207 KEVLAR™/TEX 210/GOVT. 3-CORD threading, a size346 KEVLAR thread/TEX 350/GOVT. 5-CORD threading, and other suitablethreading known in the art. Sewing needles (not shown) suitable forthreading various preferred embodiments of the assembly 700 include anon-titanium coated Groz-Beckert 135×17 #26 sewing needle, aGroz-Beckert 135×17 SAN 5 #24 sewing needle, and other suitable sewingneedles known in the art. Alternatively or additionally, various stillalternate preferred embodiments of the top threading 704 may be orcomprise, in singularity of combination, (a.) Bonded Kevlar® #207dimensioned at a 018″/0.46 mm diameter, and exhibiting a 64 lb. breakingstrength; (b.) Bonded Kevlar® #346, dimensioned at 0.026″/0.65 mmdiameter, and exhibiting a 124 lbs. breaking strength; and/or (c.) anysuitable thread known in that having a strength +/−30% of any threadmentioned herein.

The unit weight of the top threading may be 1500 grams per 9,000 meters,i.e., 1500 dernier.

It is understood that the columns 706 and the rows 708 do not formpockets, nor quilted pockets, in the top matrix 702, but merely passthrough the top matrix 702 preferably with minimal disturbance of thestaples 4 of the top matrix 702.

In certain still other alternate preferred embodiments of the inventedmethod, the stitched columns 706 are spaced at 1.5 inches apart, and thestitched rows 708 are spaced at 1.5 inches apart. The preferredstitching pattern, e.g., the columns 706 and the rows 708, spiraldesigns, etc., are best selected as a design choice in view of theparticular composition and quantity of the top matrix 702, the number oflayers of a nonwoven fabric material 800, and the how many instances ofthe invented matrix 600 are included in forming the internal matrix 802of FIG. 8 .

In even other various alternate and distinguishable preferredembodiments of the assembly 700, a sewing pattern of top threading 704may be positioned to form, in singularity or combination, (a.) anorthogonal vertical and horizontal stitching pattern, (b.) a squarestitching pattern, (c.) a rectangular stitching pattern, (d.) a diamondstitching pattern, (e.) a spiral stitching pattern, (f.) and/or otherpatterns and variable stitches distances selected as a design choicetypically made in view of a foreseeable threat.

In certain preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention, the assembly 700 is placed within an equipment (not shown)and between a shielding element 500 (of FIG. 5 ) of the equipment and aninner protected region 14 positioned within the equipment. It ispreferable in these preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention that an air gap be maintained between the assembly 700 and theinner protected region 14 of the equipment.

A cut-away indicator 714 indicates a line across the top matrix 702 usedas a point of view of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A, FIG.8A is a cut-away sideview of the assembly 700 and presents the topmatrix 702 and a zone of woven fabric material 800 (hereinafter, “thewoven material” 800), and an internal matrix 802.

In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, theinternal matrix 802 may comprise two, three, or more discrete or joinedinstances of the invented matrix 600. In certain alternate preferredembodiments of the present invention, the woven material 800, in variousalternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, may compriseone, two, three, and up to between 12 to 18 layers or more, of high tomoderate tensile strength fabric, in singularity, or in combination,such as, but not limited to, (1.) a fabric comprising a para-aramidsynthetic fiber with a molecular structure of many inter-chain bonds,such as a Kevlar™ fabric, (2.) a fabric comprising an ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene fibers, such as a SPECTRA™ fabric, (3.) afabric comprising an alternate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenefibers, such as a Dyneema™, and/or (4.) any suitable shielding orprotective material known in the art.

The top matrix 702, the woven material 800, and the internal matrix 802are all pierced by the top threading 704. A bobbin threading 804 runningoutside of the internal matrix 802 and proximate to the protected region14 couples with the top threading 704 to stitch the columns 706 and therows 704.

The bobbin thread 804, and a boundary serging bobbin thread (not shown)may be coupled with or comprise material that exhibits a high level oftensile strength, such as, but not limited, to a size 207 KEVLAR™/TEX210/GOVT. 3-CORD threading, a size 346 KEVLAR thread/TEX 350/GOVT.5-CORD threading, and other suitable threading known in the art. Sewingneedles (not shown) suitable for threading various preferred embodimentsof the assembly 700 include a non-titanium coated Groz-Beckert 135×17#26 sewing needle, a Groz-Beckert 135×17 SAN 5 #24 sewing needle, andother suitable sewing needles known in the art. Alternatively oradditionally, various still alternate preferred embodiments of thebobbin thread may be or comprise, in singularity of combination, (a.)Bonded Kevlar® #207 dimensioned at a 018″/.46 mm diameter, andexhibiting a 64 lb breaking strength; (b.) Bonded Kevlar® #346,dimensioned at 0.026″/.65 mm diameter, and exhibiting a 124 lbs breakingstrength; and/or (c.) any suitable thread known in that having astrength+/−30% of any thread mentioned herein.

It is understood that due to the compressive nature of the top matrix702 and the internal matrix 802 allow the top threading 704 and thebobbin thread 804 to cause depressions that extend toward the wovenlayer 800, and these depressions in no way segment either the top matrix702 or the internal matrix 802 into pockets such as quilted pockets. Itis understood that the stitched columns 704 and stitched rows 706 do notform pockets, such as quilted pockets, in the top matrix 702, the wovenmaterial 802, nor the internal matrix 802, but rather the top threading704 merely passes through the top matrix 702, the woven material 800,and the internal matrix 802 preferably with minimal disturbance ordisplacement of the top matrix 702, the woven material 802, and theinternal matrix 802.

Referring now to the top matrix 702 and the internal matrix 802, thestaples 4 of each respective instance of the invented matrix 600, suchas the top matrix 702 and the internal matrix 802, are preferablyoriented such that most of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B are generallyparallel with the Z-axis with a plus or minus deviation of less than 45degrees from the z-axis, and more preferably with a plus or minusdeviation of less than 20 degrees from the Z-axis, and that the stapletips 4C & 4D are preferably largely oriented to point away from theprotected region 14 and toward the threat region 12. By this orientationof the staples 4 of both the top matrix 702 and the internal matrix 802,the assembly 700 provides a greater capacity to dissipate and absorbenergy received from the direction of the threat region 10. It isunderstood that a minority of the staple end lengths 4A & 4B of the topmatrix 702 and the internal matrix 802 are variously distributed inrelation to the Z-axis to add robustness to the method of the presentinvention in protecting against threat vectors in traveling along vectorpaths that are more than 45 degrees oblique to the Z-axis.

Referring now to the woven material 800, a series of one or morediscrete woven layers 800A-800E (“the woven layers 800A-E”) arepositioned to form the woven material 800. Each of the woven layers800A-800E is preferably a continuous and individual layer of high tomoderate tensile strength fabric, in singularity, or in combination,such as, but not limited to, (1.) a fabric comprising a para-aramidsynthetic fiber with a molecular structure of many inter-chain bonds,such as a Kevlar™ fabric, (2.) a fabric comprising an ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene fibers, such as a SPECTRA™ fabric, (3.) afabric comprising an alternate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenefibers, such as a Dyneema™, and/or (4.) any suitable shielding orprotective material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8B, FIG.8B is an additional detailed representation of the cut-away sideview ofthe assembly 700 of FIG. 8A and presents the top matrix 702 ascomprising five invented matrices 600, and the woven material 800comprising five woven material layers 800A-800E, and the internal matrix802 as comprising four invented matrices 600. It is understood that thequantity of top invented matrices 600 comprised within the top matrix702 and the internal matrix 802 are design choices that may be varied inview of the intended use of the assembly 700. It is further understoodthat the number of woven material layers 800A-800E of the woven material800 is a design choice that may be varied in view of the intended use ofthe assembly 700.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9 , FIG.9 is a detailed cut-away sideview of the assembly 700 and again presentsa length of the top threading 704 joining with the bobbin thread 802 toform a stitch coupling feature 900 only after the top threading 704pierces through the top matrix 702, the woven material 800, and theinternal matrix 802. The staples 4 are shown to be oriented such thatthe staple end lengths 4A & 4B in combination with the first staple tip4C and second staple tip 4D of the instant one of the staples 4preferably point generally away from protected region 14 and toward thethreat region 10.

For the purpose of clarity of illustration and explanation, FIG. 9presents clear areas within the top matrix 702, the woven material 800,and the internal matrix 802. In fact, the areas defined between orbordered by the various lengths of the top threading 704 and/or thebobbin threading 804 are filled with respective locations of the topmatrix 702, the woven material 800, and the internal matrix 802 that thetop threading 704 is traversing through.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10 ,FIG. 10 is an isolated view of the assembly 700 showing a length of thetop threading 704, two stitch coupling features 900A & 900B and a lengthof the bobbin thread 804. This isolated view of FIG. 10 is provided forclarity of description of the dynamics generated by the interaction ofthe top threading 704, the stitch coupling features 900 and the bobbinthread 804 within the assembly 700. It is understood that the structureof the top threading 704 coupled with the bobbin thread 804 increasesthe stability of the woven material 800 within the assembly 700.

An exemplary stitch 1000 is formed by a bobbin length 1002 of the bobbinthreading 804, a top thread length 1004 of the top threading 704, afirst coupling feature 900A and a second coupling feature 900B. A topthread length 1004 extends through (1.) a first coupling feature 900Aand (2.) to and through a second coupling feature 900B, wherein thebobbin length 1002 extends to and through the first coupling feature900A; the bobbin thread length 1002 further extends to through theneighboring second coupling feature 900B. It is understood that thecoupling features, such as the stitch coupling feature 900, the firstcoupling feature 900A, and the second coupling feature 900B, are formedof and comprise elements of both the bobbin thread 804 and the topthreading 704.

Various series of stitches 1000 are generally positioned to form thecolumns 706, the rows 708 and the optional boundary serging 710. One ormore coupling features 900, 900A & 900B and/or stitches 1000 may be,include, or be comprised within, any suitable stitch known in the art,to include, but not limited to, a lock stitch, a chain stitch, a zigzagstitch, a running stitch, a back stitch, a satin stitch, and an overlockstitch, in singularity or in combination. The top threading 704 may alsocouple with a boundary bobbin thread (not shown) to form stitches 1000that in turn form the boundary serging 710.

It is understood that each stitched column 706 and stitched row 708comprise a plurality of stitches 1000. It is further understood that aseries of stitches 1000 may be formed to create the boundary serging710.

In even other various alternate and distinguishable preferredembodiments of the assembly 700, a sewing pattern of top threading 704may be positioned to form, in singularity or combination, (a.) anorthogonal vertical and horizontal stitching pattern, (b.) a squarestitching pattern, (c.) a rectangular stitching pattern, (d.) a diamondstitching pattern, (e.) a spiral stitching pattern, (f) and/or otherpatterns and variable stitches distances selected as a design choicetypically made in view of a foreseeable threat.

In patentable distinction, one optional aspect of the invented methodapplies stitches 1000 in combination with two or more invented matrices600 adds reinforcement to the invented sewn assembly 700 along theaforementioned Z-axis, whereby the placement of the stitches 1000 withinthe invented sewn assembly 700 induces internal dynamics within theinvented sewn assembly 700 that are analogous to a cantilever bridge.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11A,FIG. 11A is a cut-away sideview of an alternate assembly 1100 comprisingthe top matrix 702 and the woven fabric 800 coupled together in part bythe length of the top threading 704. It is understood that the internalmatrix 802 is not included in the alternate assembly 1100. It isunderstood that the decision to not include the internal matrix 802 ismost appropriate when there is little or need to provide protectionagainst backface signature energy that penetrates the woven fabric 802.Additional preferred embodiments of the invented method where backfacesignature protection is not required include, ballistic protectioncurtains, internally positioned ballistic protection curtains,tarpaulin, tenting fabrics, and other suitable structures andenvironments known in the art. Installations of the alternate assembly1100 within airframes and other structures provide with both protectionfrom penetrating energids, e.g., blast waves and projectiles, as well assound proofing and thermal insulation while remaining hidden fromexternal viewing.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11B,FIG. 11B is an additional detailed representation of the cut-awaysideview of the alternate assembly 1100 of FIG. 11A and presents the topmatrix 702 as comprising five invented matrices 600, and the wovenmaterial 800 comprising three woven material layers 800A-800C. It isunderstood that the quantity of top invented matrices 600 comprisedwithin the top matrix 702 is a design choice that may be varied in viewof the intended use of the alternate assembly 1100. It is furtherunderstood that the number of woven material layers 800A-800C of thewoven material 800 are design choices that may be varied in view of theintended use of the alternate assembly 1100.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 12 ,FIG. 12 is a cut-away sideview detail of the alternate assembly 1100comprising the top matrix 702 and the woven fabric 800 coupled by thelength of the top threading 704 and the bobbin thread 802. The staples 4are shown to be oriented such that the staple end lengths 4A & 4B incombination with the first staple tip 4C and the second staple tip 4D ofthe instant one of the staples 4 preferably point generally away fromthe woven layer 800 and toward the threat region 10.

For the purpose of clarity of illustration and explanation, FIG. 12presents clear areas within the alternate assembly 1100. In fact, theareas defined between or bordered by the various lengths of the topthreading 704 and/or the bobbin threading 804 are filled with respectiveelements of the top matrix 702, the woven material 800 that the topthreading 704 is merely traversing through.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 13 ,FIG. 13 is a cut-away top view the assembly 700 that has been augmentedwith heat sink elements 1300 and/or cooling heat pipes 1302 that arepositioned within the top matrix 702 and/or the internal matrix 802. Oneor more cooling heat pipes 1302 may comprise heat absorbing ordissipating wax, oil, a phase changing heat absorbing or dissipating waxmaterial or structure, or other suitable cooling material or structureknown in the art. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling heat pipes1302 may be or comprise one or more prior heat pipe materials andstructures configured to remove and dissipate heat from the assembly700, to include the suitable prior art materials and structures known inthe art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,557 issued to InventorSantos, Elmer, on Apr. 5, 2016, or People's Republic of China PatentApplication CN204599382U, filed by Zhongyuan University of Technology onMay 21, 2015. Still alternatively or additionally, the cooling heatpipes 1302 may comprise one suitable alternate prior art heat pipe orcooling materials and structures known in the art, to include paraffinwaxes that have a high heat of fusion per unit weight and a specificmelting point selection, provide dependable cycling, are non-corrosiveand are chemically inert, such as products marketed by Advance CoolingTechnologies, Inc., of Lancaster, PA. Yet alternatively or additionally,the cooling heat pipes 1302 may comprise one or more additional suitableprior art heat pipe or cooling materials and structures known in the artsuch as paraffin wax and/or polystyrene capsules containing M3 paraffinwax as phase change material for thermal energy storage in apolypropylene (PP) matrix, and as disclosed in POLYMER ENCAPSULATEDPARAFFIN WAX TO BE USED AS PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL FOR ENERGY STORAGE byMokgaotsa Jonas Mochane and as published by the University of the FreeState, Qwaqwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, Republic of South Africa.

Even further alternatively or additionally, cooling heat pipes 1302 maybe or comprise suitable flexible thermal regulation systems known in theart based on suitable phase change materials (“PCM'S) known in the artto include, but not limited to, encapsulated PCM's positioned within orupon flexible supporting materials of the assembly 700, e.g., thestaples 4, top matrix 702, the internal matrix 802, the woven fabric800; these encapsulated PCMs provide a physical approach that may bebased on capillarity and/or hydrogen bonding.

Even further alternatively or additionally, cooling heat pipes 1302 maybe or comprise suitable flexible thermal regulation systems known in theart based on suitable phase change materials (“PCM'S) known in the artto include, PCM's grafted or positioned within or upon the assembly 700onto the supporting materials, e.g., which is a chemical approach basedon grafting reaction.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14 ,FIG. 14 is a cut-away side view of the assembly 700 that has beenaugmented with sensors 1400-1406 within the top matrix 702 and/or theinternal matrix 802. One or more sensors 1400-1406 may comprise suitableprior art Radio Frequency Identification Devices (“RFID”), wirelesscommunications circuits, and/or parametric sensing modules known in theart. One or more parametric sensing modules 1400-1406 may generatemeasurements of ambient temperature velocity, detections of receivedforces and other parametric values. These RFID devices and/or wirelesscommunications circuits comprised within one or more or more sensors1400-1406 may be configured to transmit by wireless means identifyinginformation of the assembly 700, GPS location data related to theassembly 700, and/or parametric measurement values generated by the oneor more parametric sensing modules. Alternatively or additionally, oneor more sensors 1400-1406 may be or comprise one or more suitable priorart amorphous ferromagnetic microwire (GCM) technology devices thatoptionally record information, and/or mark or enable track the locationand movement of the assembly 700.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more sensors 1400-1406 may be orcomprise one or more prior art devices to include, but not limited to, awireless communications enabled (a.) pressure sensor, (b.) temperaturesensor, and/or (c.) combined pressure and temperature sensor. Stillalternatively or additionally, one or more sensors 1400-1406 may be orcomprise one or more prior art devices to include, but not limited to, awireless communications enabled ultra-miniature, high-temperature, lowfrequency, RFID passive wireless sensor, such as, but not limited to,one or more wireless communications enabled sensors as marketed by PhaseIV Engineering, Inc. of Boulder Colorado, or other suitable wirelesscommunications enabled sensors known in the art.

Still alternatively or additionally, one or more sensors 1400-1406 maybe or comprise one or more prior art devices to include, but not limitedto, a wireless communications sensor as marketed by RVmagnetics Kosice,Kosice, Slovakia (Slovak Republic), or other suitable wirelesscommunications enabled sensor known in the art.

Still other potential elements comprising or comprised within one ormore RFID sensors 1400-1406 may be or comprise RFID devices such as, butnot limited to, an NFC Bluetooth FPC On-Metal Sticker Tag With GenuineRFID Chip Ntag213™ Universal Small Size [DIA 10 mm] as marketed by FarEast Technology Co., Ltd of Shenzhen, China; an 5 mm*5 mm Mini Ntag213™NFC Tag 13.56 MHZ FPC Sticker With RFID Micro Chip 144 Bytes 1 mmReading Range as marketed by Ancient Code Store of Shenzhen, China; aMicro NFC/RFID Transponder—NTAG203™ 13.56 MHz as marketed by KiwiElectronics of Den Haag, The Netherlands; a 5 pcs Programmable 12 mmNTag215 Micro Chip FPC Mini RFIDNFC Tag™ as marketed by Pack ofAdventure of Florence, KY; and/or one or more other suitable RFID sensordevices known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 15 ,FIG. 15 is a cut-away top view of an interrupter layer 1500 that is usedin certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention in combination with the assembly 700 and/or the alternateassembly 1100. The interrupter layer 1500 comprises a particulatematter, e.g., a plurality of particles, 1502 (hereinafter, “spheres”1502), maintained in semi-pinned, semi-static status by an elastomer1504. It is understood that the term “pinned” signifies that therelative movement of the spheres 1502 in three dimensional space highlyrestricted, and therefore “semi-pinned” signifies that the relativemovement of the spheres 1502 in three dimensional space is partiallyrestricted. Further, the term “static” would signify that the positionsof the spheres 1502 are fixed in place, and therefore “semi-static”signifies that the positions of the spheres 1502 are partially fixed inplace. It is understood that the particles presented as spheres 1502 inFIG. 15 may be or comprise one or more three dimensional suitable shapesknown in the art, including but not limited to, in part or in totality,a non-symmetric volume, a dodecahedron, a cube, or a pyramid. It isnoted that the interrupter layer 1500 is referred to herein sometimes asa particulate layer comprising within it a plurality of particles suchas the spheres 1502. Further, the element of the particulate fabricbinding the particles together, such as the elastomer 1504, may bereferred to herein as a binding medium.

One or more spheres may comprise alumina ceramic, boron carbide ceramic,and/or other suitable materials known in the art.

It is understood that the interrupter layer 1500 in various otheralternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, may compriseelements having shapes other than spherical, such as a hemisphere,irregular shapes and/or any suitable shape known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 16 ,FIG. 16 is a detailed cut-away top view of four of the spheres 1502 thatillustrates the invented design concept of the present invention of theinterrupter layer 1500. A designer of a preferred embodiment may selecta particular dimensional value of a projectile, for example a basediameter of 0.358 inch bullet diameter of a 35 caliber round. Thedesigner may then select spheres and arrange the selected spheres toestablish a sphere maximum displacement value to be built into in theinterrupter layer 1500, such preferably as less than one half of theexpected bullet radius. In the exemplary illustration of FIG. 16 , arepresentative maximum displacement value 1600 is indicated. Thisrepresentative maximum displacement value 1600 is less than the selecteddimensional aspect of a projectile; for example if the interrupterdesigner selects the projectile dimensional value 0.358 inch, thedesigner would preferably designate a smaller maximum displacement value1600, e.g., inch. By this applying this exemplary design criteria to theentire interrupter layer 1500, no sphere 1502 would be more than 0.0400inches from a neighboring sphere 1502 within the X-y plane defined bythe X-axis and the Y-axis.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 17A,FIG. 17A is a detailed cut-away top view of an alternate sphere 1700,wherein an outer shell 1702 encapsulates an inner lower density volume1704. The outer shell 1702 may comprise alumina ceramic, boron carbideceramic, and/or other suitable materials known in the art. The alternatesphere 1700 having a lower weight than the sphere 1504 would be moreappropriate for still other alternate preferred embodiments of thepresent invention suitable for forming protective clothing, e.g., animalhandling apparel, explosive ordnance disposal apparel, oilfield workerapparel, steel workers apparel

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 17B,FIG. 17A is a detailed cut-away top view of an additional alternatesphere 1706, wherein an alternate outer shell 1708 encapsulates an innerhigh compressive strength material 1710 such as high compressivestrength carbon fiber reinforced polyamide-imide, or other suitable highcompressive strength material. The alternate outer shell 1708 maycomprise alumina ceramic, boron carbide ceramic, and/or other suitablematerials known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 18 ,FIG. 18 is a cut-away side view of the interrupter layer 1500 Theplurality of spheres 1502 may be set into the semi-pinned, semi-staticstatus by pouring the elastomer 1504 in a liquid state over and aroundthe spheres 1502. In certain alternate preferred embodiments of themethod of the present invention, the elastomer 1504 may be provided andpositioned within the interrupter layer 1500 by suitable injectionmolding techniques known in the art, by suitable transfer moldingtechniques known in the art, and/or other suitable fabricatingtechniques known in the art.

In certain preferred methods of fabrication and repair of theinterrupter layer 1500, the spheres 1502 may be aligned more towards acertain direction of Z-axis, as presented in FIG. 18 .

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 19 ,FIG. 19 is a cut-away top view a compilation 1900 comprising theinterrupter layer 1500 positioned on top of, i.e., closer to the threatregion along the Z-axis, of the assembly 700. It is understood that theinterrupter layer 1500 is positioned on top of, i.e., closer to thethreat region along the Z-axis, of the alternate assembly 1100. As notedin the discussion of FIG. 15 , the plurality of spheres 1502 aremaintained in semi-pinned, semi-static status by the elastomer 1504.

A cut-away indicator 1902 indicates a line across the compilation 1900used as a point of view of FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 20A,FIG. 20A is a cut-away side view of the compilation 1900 showinginterrupter layer 1500 positioned on top of, i.e., more proximate to thethreat region than the assembly 700.

In certain preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention, the compilation 1900 is placed within an equipment (notshown) and between a shielding element 500 (of FIG. 5 ) of the equipmentand an inner protected region 14 positioned within the equipment. It ispreferable in these preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention that an air gap be maintained between the compilation 1900 andthe inner protected region 14 of the equipment.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 20B,FIG. 20B is a cut-away side view of an alternate compilation 1904showing interrupter layer 1500 positioned on top of, i.e., moreproximate to the threat region than, the alternate assembly 1100.

In certain preferred applications of the method of the presentinvention, the alternate compilation 1904 is placed within an equipment(not shown) and between a shielding element 500 (of FIG. 5 ) of theequipment and an inner protected region 14 positioned within theequipment. It is preferable in these preferred applications of themethod of the present invention that an air gap be maintained betweenthe alternate compilation 1904 and the inner protected region 14 of theequipment.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 21A,FIG. 21A is a representation of a bullet 2100 approaching a cut-awayside view of the interrupter layer 1500 positioned on top of theassembly 700 at a rate of speed faster close to faster than 600 feet persecond. It is noted that the bullet is represented as having a leadingsection 2100A and a trailing section 2100B, wherein the leading section2100A will contact the interrupter layer 1500 before the trailingsection 2100B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 21B,FIG. 21B is a representation of a bullet 2100 contacting the interrupterlayer 1500 and fragmenting. A first plurality of shattered bulletelements 2102A variously fly away from or into the interrupter layer1500, and a second plurality of shattered bullet elements 2102B of thebullet 2100 penetrate into the assembly 700. It is noted that theleading section 2100A will deaccelerate before the trailing section2100B deaccelerates, and this temporal displacement of deaccelerationwill encourage the generation of the two pluralities of shattered bulletelements 2102A & 2102B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 22 ,FIG. 22 presents a top garment 2200 having an external garment textilelayer 2202 covering an interrupter layer 1500, wherein the interrupterlayer is disposed between the external garment textile layer 2202 and anassembly 700. The spheres 1504 of the interrupter layer 1500 of the topgarment 2200 may preferably be dimensioned with a diameter of less thanfive millimeters to protect a wearer (not shown) against barbed wire,razor wire and other suitable barrier material known in the art, wherebythe preferred maximum displacement of the spheres 1504 of theinterrupter layer 1500 of the top garment 2200 would preferably be fivemillimeters or less.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 23 ,FIG. 23 presents a glove 2300 having an external glove textile layer2302 covering an interrupter layer 1500, wherein a detailed cut-awayview shows that interrupter layer 1500 is disposed between the externalglove textile layer 2302 and an assembly 700. The spheres 1504 of theinterrupter layer 1500 of the glove 2300 may preferably be dimensionedwith a diameter of less than five millimeters to protect a wearer (notshown) against barbed wire, razor wire and other suitable barriermaterial known in the art, whereby the preferred maximum displacement ofthe spheres 1504 interrupter layer 1500 of the glove 2300 would fivemillimeters or less.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 24 ,FIG. 24 presents a full body garment 2400 having an external full bodygarment layer 2402 covering an interrupter layer 1500, wherein detailedcut-away view shows that the interrupter layer is disposed between theexternal full body garment layer 2402 and an assembly 700. The spheres1504 of the interrupter layer 1500 of the body garment 2400 maypreferably be dimensioned with a diameter of less than five millimetersto protect a wearer (not shown) against barbed wire, razor wire andother suitable barrier material known in the art, whereby the preferredmaximum displacement of the spheres 1504 interrupter layer 1500 of thebody garment 2400 would five millimeters or less.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 25 ,FIG. 25 is a cut-away side view that presents a boot 2500 having anexternal layer 2502 covering an interrupter layer 1500, wherein theinterrupter layer is disposed between the external boot layer 2502 andan assembly 700. The spheres 1504 of the interrupter layer 1500 of theboot 2500 may preferably be dimensioned with a diameter of less thanfive millimeters to protect a wearer (not shown) against barbed wire,razor wire and other suitable barrier material known in the art, wherebythe preferred maximum displacement of the spheres 1504 interrupter layer1500 of the boot 2500 would five millimeters or less.

It is understood that the interrupter layer 1500 of the FIGS. 22 through25 may include alternate spheres 1700 and/or additional alternatespheres 1706 in addition to, combined with, and/or replacing spheres1504.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 26 ,FIG. 26 is a line drawing presenting a front view of a panel of inventedmaterial, such as the assembly of FIG. 7 , further adapted to be hung upas a protective curtain or panel. A curtain 2600 may include at least asheet of material 2602 including or coupled to a hanging assembly 2604suitable for hanging up the curtain 2600, such as but not limited to ona wall or over a window. The hanging assembly 2604, instantiated in thisFigure more specifically as a left hanging assembly 2604A and a righthanging assembly 2604E, might be any suitable means for hanging up thecurtain 2600. The non-limiting example presented in this Figurecomprises an aperture 2606 which can be secured onto a hook 2608, withthe hook 2608 fastened to some feature not shown that the curtain 2600might be hung up on, such as a wall. More specifically, this Figurepresents a first aperture 2606A secured onto a left hook 2608A,collectively forming the left hanging assembly 2604A; and a rightaperture 2606E secured onto a right hook 2608E, collectively forming theright hanging assembly 2604E. It is noted that not every instance of theaperture 2606 need necessarily correspond to an instance of the hook2608; extra apertures may be useful for adjustability. It is furthernoted that additional features for this type of assembly, such asgrommets to reinforce the durability of one or more instance of theaperture 2606, are obvious potential enhancements that one skilled inthe art might further choose to include. It is further noted thathook-and-aperture is just one non-limiting example of a possibleimplementation of the hanging assembly 2604, and other means exist forhanging up the sheet of material 2602, such as but not limited to snaps,nails, staples, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, and more. It isnoted that the sheet of material 2602 might be any shape, not just therectangle presented here; for instance, the sheet of material 2602 mightbe shaped to fit within or behind a car door, or even shaped and coloredsuch that the sheet of material 2602 might not appear out of placedoubling as an aesthetic decoration. It is noted that an edge of thesheet of material 2602 which includes one or more elements of a hangingassembly 2604, such as the top edge as presented in FIG. 26 , might bereferred to also herein as a coupling edge.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 27 ,FIG. 27 is a line drawing presenting a side view of a plurality of thestaples 4 of FIG. 1 incorporated into a static structure 2700 such as ablock 2702 of a hard material such as plastic or resin. It is noted thatthe static structure 2700 might be in any shape, and this is just asimple example. It is further noted that a key benefit of the staples 4is mitigation of effects such as shock waves, and static structures suchas the static structure 2700 presented here are also vulnerable to shockwave effects, such as resonant effects between solid material and wave;a sound wave shattering a wineglass might be one practical example. Asanother practical example, experts in the field of earthquake-resistantarchitecture might readily recognize the pitfalls of building a staticstructure such as a building entirely solid, such that any resonance orwobble, small or large, would be likely to resonate through that wholestructure and even amplify itself, and such that the structure would belikely to shatter rather than bend, wobble, or otherwise dissipate anyreceived energy (such as from an earthquake) less harmfully. These arepractical examples included to illustrate the phenomenon of a staticstructure being threatened or destroyed just by receiving waves ofnon-physical energy, without anything physically smashing into thestatic structure itself. Inclusion of the staples 4 within a staticstructure, as presented here with the static structure 2700, may providethe beneficial effect of dissipating, interrupting, and redirecting wavemomentum received by the static structure 2700, and potentially givingthe static structure 2700 a higher level of resilience toward incomingenergy.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosurethat various changes and modifications can be made herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of thevarious components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Componentsthat are shown directly connected or contacting each other can haveintermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of oneelement can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures andfunctions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it isnot necessary for all advantages to be present in a particularembodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from theprior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should beconsidered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, theembodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are describedwhich may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly,various requirements are described which may be requirements for someembodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example, by using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatthe same thing can be said in more than one way. One will recognize that“memory” is one form of a “storage,” and that the terms may on occasionbe used interchangeably.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein nor is any special significance tobe placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein.Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or moresynonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examplesanywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussedherein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit thescope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term.Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given inthis specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control over and othercited, incorporated or referenced disclosures or patent documents.

I claim:
 1. A flexible fabric comprising a multitude of elongateentangled staples (“staples”), wherein each staple of a multiplicity ofstaples of the multitude of staples comprises a partial length thatextends in a substantively parallel orientation.
 2. The flexible fabricof claim 1, wherein the multitude of staples is present in the flexiblefabric at an areal density of greater than 0.50 ounce per square foot.3. The flexible fabric of claim 1, wherein the flexible fabric ispositioned between an entity and a shielding element.
 4. The flexiblefabric of claim 1, wherein the entity is a human being.
 5. The flexiblefabric of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of the staples comprises afire retardant.
 6. The flexible fabric of claim 1, wherein each of themultiplicity of staples present an elongate dimension greater than 0.5inches.
 7. The flexible fabric of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity ofthe staples comprises a material, in combination or in singularity,selected from the material group of a polymer, a metal, a metal alloy, aceramic and a basalt component.
 8. The flexible fabric of claim 7,wherein the multitude of staples is present in the flexible fabric at anareal density of greater than 0.50 ounce per square foot.
 9. Theflexible fabric of claim 1, wherein the multitude of staples furthercomprises a second multiplicity of staples, wherein the secondmultiplicity of staples is distributed to at least partially extendlinearly in a range of orientations, wherein the range extends fromparallel to the multiplicity of partial lengths of the firstmultiplicity of staples to orthogonal to the multiplicity of partiallengths of the multiplicity of staples.
 10. The flexible fabric of claim1, further comprising: a coupling edge formed within an edge of theflexible fabric; and a coupling feature attached to the coupling edge,wherein the coupling feature is adapted to enable the flexible fabric tobe positioned vertically, whereby the partial lengths of themultiplicity of staples is positioned to be parallel to a horizontalground plane.
 11. The flexible fabric of claim 1, wherein themultiplicity of staples is formed into a semi-pinned state.
 12. Aflexible fabric comprising a multitude of entangled staples (“staples”),comprising: a first fabric of a first multiplicity of the staples thatcomprises lengths extending in a substantively parallel orientation; asecond fabric of a second multiplicity of the staples that compriselengths extending in a substantively parallel orientation; anintermediate layer, the intermediate layer disposed between the firstfabric and the second fabric; and a stitching, the stitching multiplystitching together and extending through the first fabric, theintermediate layer, and the second fabric.
 13. The flexible fabric ofclaim 12, wherein the first multiplicity of staples is formed in astatic state.
 14. The flexible fabric of claim 13, wherein the secondmultiplicity of staples is formed in a semi-pinned semi-static state.16. The flexible fabric of claim 12, wherein the intermediate layercomprises a woven fabric.
 17. The flexible fabric of claim 16, whereinthe woven fabric comprises a multiplicity of woven sheets.
 18. Theflexible fabric of claim 12, the first fabric further comprising anadditional multiplicity of staples, wherein the additional multiplicityof staples distributed to extend in a range of orientations in referenceto the vector path, wherein the range extends from parallel to themultiplicity of parallel lengths of the first multiplicity of staples toorthogonal to the orthogonal to the parallel lengths of the firstmultiplicity of staples.
 19. The flexible fabric of claim 12, the secondfabric further comprising an alternate multiplicity of staples, whereinthe alternate multiplicity of staples distributed to extend in a rangeof orientations in reference to the vector path, wherein the rangeextends from parallel to the multiplicity of parallel lengths of thefirst multiplicity of staples to orthogonal to the orthogonal to theparallel lengths of the first multiplicity of staples.
 20. A flexibleparticulate structure comprising: a multitude of adjoining particles,the adjoining particles assembled together to present interstitial areasno larger than the diameter of a selected projectile; and a flexiblebinding medium, the flexible binding medium integrated with themultitude of adjoining particles and adapted to maintain the multitudeof adjoining particles in a flexible semi-pinned semi-static array. 21.The flexible particulate structure of claim 20, further comprising: theflexible particulate structure forming an internal surface; and anenergy capturing layer positioned along the internal surface, the energycapturing layer comprising a multitude of elongate entangled staples(“staples”), wherein each staple of a multiplicity of the staples of themultitude of staples each comprise one or more partial lengths thatextend in a substantively parallel orientation normal to the adjoiningsurface.
 22. The flexible particulate structure of claim 20, wherein amultiplicity of adjoining particles is substantively spherical.
 23. Theflexible particulate structure of claim 20, wherein a multiplicity ofadjoining particles is substantively semi-spherical.
 24. The flexibleparticulate structure of claim 20, wherein a multitude of adjoiningparticles is substantively semi-spherical and comprises an outer layerand a filler element, wherein the outer layer is oriented proximallytoward a predicted path of travel of the selected projectile.
 25. Theflexible particulate structure of claim 24, wherein the filler elementis highly compressive.
 26. The flexible particulate structure of claim20, wherein the filler element is flame retardant.
 32. The flexibleparticulate structure of claim 20, wherein the flexible semi-pinnedsemi-static array forms a multiplicity of layers of adjoining particles.